The durability and low cost of plastic has made it the preferred material for packaging. But it is the same durability that makes it persist in landfills for hundreds of years.
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing issues of our time.
But what if nature offered us a solution out of this quagmire?
There is a replacement available readily. Hemp packaging is a sustainable alternative that can radically change waste management.

Hemp produces a natural, strong, and durable fiber used to make textiles, rope, and paper. With hemp packaging, businesses are adopting biodegradable packaging solutions to fossil fuel based plastics.
In this guide, we shall explore the various factors behind the growing popularity of eco-friendly hemp packaging materials.
The two irresistible qualities of hemp packaging
1. Hemp-based packaging can decompose quickly whereas plastic sticks around for centuries
Over 400 million tons of plastic is manufactured globally. Studies have shown that most plastic waste ends up in landfills or in oceans.
Though plastic does not decompose, it breaks up into small fragments within a year or two. Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in size. They are consumed by plankton and enter the food chain. Subsequently, they move up the food chain and end up in the human body. Exposure to microplastics is linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
This is an unacceptable situation. Thankfully, many companies in the food and retail sectors have already adopted hemp wrappers and containers. A few examples include,
- LOLI (Living Organic Loving Ingredients), a Canadian skincare boutique, is a green beauty brand that uses outer packaging made of hemp and hemp paper.
- Mineral, another conservationist beauty brand based out of Austin, Texas, uses hemp packaging.
These businesses are just the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of businesses, big and small, have adopted hemp packaging as a promising resource that is biodegradable.
The biggest benefit of hemp packaging is that it decomposes swiftly.
According to various estimates, plastic takes between 20 to 500 years to break down. On the other hand, hemp is an organic material that’s biodegradable.
In a landfill, hemp-based paper, plastics and packaging disintegrate within six months to a year.
2. Hemp-based bioplastics are versatile enough to replace most plastic packaging
Hemp packaging is versatile and that has made it attractive to various types of industries. Since hemp plastic is strong yet lightweight it can be molded into different shapes very easily.
These include food containers, bottles, and trays of every kind. It is also ideal for industrial packaging solutions such as wrappers, boxes, and pallets.
For a business, adopting hemp packaging is a significant branding boost.
In the past decade consumers have become increasingly aware of damage to the environment caused by plastic products.
According to a 2023 survey by NielsenIQ, 92% of customers prefer products with sustainable packaging. More surprisingly half of them are willing to pay more for sustainable products.
Reducing plastic waste with hemp packaging is sure to have an instant appeal.
By quickly changing to hemp-based packaging, brands can attract this growing market segment made of young and well informed buyers and present a USP that is hard to beat.
Industries adopting hemp-based packaging
Food and Beverage Industry
Hemp materials are ideal for packaging snacks, coffee, tea, fresh produce, dry goods, and beverages. That is why this industry is an early adopter of hemp-based packaging.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Multiple niche cosmetics brands are turning to hemp-based packaging to show their commitment to sustainability. We have already mentioned LOLI above, but they are far from being the only ones.

Retail and E-Commerce
Hemp can be used to make boxes and cartons that are durable and affordable. The e-commerce industry which generally uses plastic packaging is turning to hemp based packaging for its customers.
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
It is natural that healthcare and supplementation businesses would find hemp packaging to be perfect for their use. Hemp paper and board is non-toxic and preserves contents safely on shelves.
The consumer behaviour is changing
Consumer behaviour is playing a critical role in this transformation.
The vagaries of nature – record-breaking heatwaves, intense wildfires, powerful hurricanes – are on full display around the globe. Most of these are due to human activities that increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Now is the perfect time for change, and buyers want a clean and green solution.
This has resulted in a positive feedback loop.
Increased demand for sustainable business practices have led to companies adopting hemp packaging. This in turn has led to greater sales which is influencing more businesses to do the same.
A case in point is Wyld, a natural snacks company. It adopted hemp packaging which led to 15% sales growth in the first year, thanks to support from eco-conscious customers.
‘Packaging’ can cease to be a bad word, courtesy hemp
Most of what can be done using plastics, can also be achieved with hemp. Moreover, customers want a switchover to business practices and products that preserve the environment.
According to a report by Grand View Research, the worldwide industrial hemp market size was valued at USD 5.49 billion in 2023. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% from now till 2030.
Between 2015 and 2022, hemp cultivation in the EU grew by 60%. These are encouraging statistics and there is no absolutely no doubt the numbers will keep on rising. Hemp offers a readily available packaging solution making this the perfect time for companies to make the switch from plastics.
Hemp packaging for businesses isn’t just a step toward reducing plastic waste—it’s a leap toward a sustainable future. Will industries take this turning point seriously?